Lanterns Review: James Gunn's DCU Enters Its Brightest Day With The Perfect Hal Jordan & John Stewart

Lanterns does right by the Green Lantern mythos and the two most popular human Green Lanterns in ways that will leave DC fans cheering at their screens. Yes, it is that good. This is a far cry from Ryan Reynolds' ill-received 2011 Green Lantern movie. The new HBO series carefully examines who Hal Jordan and John Stewart are at their core, complete with insightful explorations of their origins, to explain why their dynamic plays out the way that it does when the two heroes come together. It is bound to become the best live-action DC TV show for many.

Like a lot of Green Lantern fans, I also had a couple of common doubts heading into the show. Was DC right to go older with the Hal Jordan casting? Would there be enough energy constructs and cosmic action in Lanterns if the show was billed as a True Detective-like series? Well, the answer to both of those is a resounding yes. Lanterns' cast of characters was perfectly put together, and I believe the majority of viewers will come out of this show thinking that Kyle Chandler's Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre's John Stewart are the definitive versions of those characters.

Additionally, Lanterns tells a well-written story with quite a few twists and emotional moments as the two human Green Lanterns investigate an alien threat in the small town of Rushville. Based on the amazing trio of creators behind the new DC series, I had high hopes for Lanterns. Having watched all episodes of the HBO series save for the season finale, I can say that Chris Mundy (Ozark), Damon Lindelof (Watchmen), and Tom King (Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow) have truly built something special that perfectly walks the line between HBO crime thriller and DC superhero epic.

There Is Plenty Of Green In Lanterns

One of the biggest complaints about the first Lanterns trailer was that there was not enough green in the show. Well, buckle up, as the HBO series does not shy away from its characters' comic book origins. Lanterns is not a gritty superhero adaptation that is afraid of its roots. What it does is ground all the superhero elements in hard-hitting drama, which makes them feel even bigger. One of my favorite aspects of the show is how Lanterns presents the differences between John and Hal's constructs, of which there are many throughout season 1.

As an architect, John can really come up with some intricate constructs, while Hal is all about being direct. Lanterns is also visually stunning, and there is a particular episode that left my jaw on the floor. This is a show that can go from a familiar detective series set in a mysterious small town to a massive superhero spectacle at the flick of a switch. Expect plenty of elaborate action sequences and one of the most intense episodes of DC TV, with many energy constructs flying around, to date.

In terms of the series' scope, most of Lanterns' action is indeed set on Earth. So, for anyone expecting the show to magically follow Milly Alcock's Supergirl movie as a planet-hopping DC release, that is not happening. That said, other planets and aliens do play a role in the new HBO series. They carry their own mysteries that enhance the deaths Hal and John are looking into, expanding the scope of the series. Finally, also on the topic of green, while I was initially not a fan of Hal's Green Lantern suit in the trailers, it looked great in action.

Lanterns' Characters Inject So Much Energy Into The DCU

After initially being mixed on the casting of the 60-year-old Chandler as Hal Jordan, I have to say that I had nothing to be worried about. Lanterns proves right from the start of episode 1 that Chandler was born to play Hal. It is honestly as if the character had stepped out of the comics onto the small screen, as the actor infuses Hal with the same daring, confident, and sarcastic attitude fans have come to love about him. He is never afraid to trust his gut, showcasing the willpower that makes him the most popular Green Lantern throughout Lanterns season 1.

The decision to make Hal older, thus a Green Lantern veteran who has seen it all, and pair him as a reluctant mentor to the younger, more idealistic John Stewart, played by Pierre, was inspired. Their dynamic is the beating heart of the DC series, with both characters being completely different. While Hal comes with a swagger and the desire to conquer every room he walks into, John shows a more controlled strength. He knows he is the best and has the training to back that up. John is also more respectful and likes to intently study what he is up against.

Hal Jordan and John Stewart perfectly complement one another in Lanterns, and this both generates hilarious clashes due to their different personalities, while also being exactly what they needed to get to the bottom of what is going on in Rushville. While Chandler's Hal and Pierre's John are definitely the stars of Lanterns, this is a show booming with interesting characters. No one should sleep on Kelly Macdonald as Kerry. Despite being a small-town sheriff, Kerry goes toe-to-toe with Hal as the Green Lanterns investigate what could be an alien-related threat on Earth. Macdonald makes Kerry a vibrant presence.

As a fan of his from Fear the Walking Dead, I was quite interested in what Garret Dillahunt would bring to the role of William Macon. The result is one of the most mysterious and intense roles in the HBO series, with Dillahunt being able to easily switch between charming and terrifying. Poorna Jagannathan's Zoe comes as a warm presence that adds another layer to John's story. When it comes to Ulrich Thomsen's Sinestro, who I'm sure a lot of DC fans have been anxiously waiting to see, I believe reactions might be mixed.

Don't get me wrong, I think Thomsen's Sinestro is perfect, dropping the necessary bits of wisdom and just gently manipulating Hal even though he does not currently have the power in the DCU that we know Sinestro possesses in the comics. However, he is not a major presence in Lanterns, so those expecting to see a lot of Sinestro might be disappointed. Finally, it was a lot of fun to see Nathan Fillion back as Guy Gardner. His performance feels very much in line with the Guy seen in Superman and Peacemaker season 2, but fits in naturally in Lanterns.

DC's Lanterns Is Not Without A Couple Of Divisive Moments But Tells A Magnetic Story

Sadly, DC fans have grown used to controversies over the years. Recently, the DCU's Supergirl movie saw a few pop up, related to a specific needle drop and story choices. I believe HBO's Lanterns should once again offer one or two divisive choices that will be the source of a lot of discussions related to the show. That said, they do serve the story in major ways, with Mundy, Lindelof, and King crafting an emotional and action-packed ride that would not have been the same without those bold choices.

Finally, as was previously confirmed, Lanterns' action mainly takes place across two timelines, with the Rushville investigation being set in 2016, and a new mystery being unearthed in 2026, after the events of James Gunn's Superman movie. Those who might be concerned about confusing timelines similar to those from shows like The Witcher can be at ease, as Lanterns does a solid job making sure everything is explained well without relying on heavy exposition. All in all, Lanterns is the solo Green Lantern project that DC fans deserve, with exciting action, complex characters, and a gritty, magnetic story.

Lanterns debuts on HBO and HBO Max on Sunday, August 16, at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT, with the rest of its eight episodes airing weekly.